Political commentary from the LA Times

(UPDATE Wed. 10 a.m.: The Costa Mesa City Council passed the mayor's resolution stating that it is "a Rule of Law city" when it comes to enforcing immigration laws.)

It should be an interesting City Council meeting today in Costa Mesa, California.

You know how some cities have declared themselves sanctuaries as part of the increasingly emotional and politically volatile national debate over illegal immigrants in an election year?

Well, Costa Mayor Allan Mansoor wants to do exactly the opposite -- declare that his Orange County city not only doesn't welcome illegal immigrants but doesn't want them and is, in fact, a "rule-of-law city" that will enforce immigration laws strictly.

"It's going to be a resolution stating that Costa Mesa is not a sanctuary city," the mayor says, "and it is, in fact, a rule-of-law city when it comes to upholding our immigration laws."

Mansoor, who's running for the state Assembly now, said numerous cities declaring themselves sanctuaries is "unfortunate."

"We shouldn't be afraid to state that we believe that upholding our immigration laws is the right thing to do," Mansoor added. "We have complete respect for legal immigration."

Mansoor says his resolution has nothing to do with Arizona or the broad national debate, boycotts and boycotts of boycotts, ignited by the state's tough new illegal immigration law prompted by the federal government's inability to secure the border with Mexico. And if you believe that, we've got a Green card to sell.

During a previous illegal immigration debate back in 2005, Mansoor wanted local police to enforce federal immigration laws. He succeeded in having an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent stationed at the city jail.

According to the Orange County Register, last year Costa Mesa issued 1,838 citations to unlicensed drivers. Of those, 121 were arrested and 60% of those were taken into custody by ICE agents.